The police operation saw thousands of Newcastle fans escorted on to special trains and coaches before and after the game.

Pitch invasion

In Sunderland, officers visited bars and pubs throughout the day.

Some home fans wore horse masks after a police horse was punched by a Newcastle fan last season

Ch Supt Steve Neill said: "The vast majority of fans were well behaved and enjoyed the derby for the great occasion that it is.

"Twenty arrests out of a crowd of that size [50,000] is very low. I'm pleased that the vast majority of fans who attended were clearly there to enjoy the football and were not interested in causing trouble."

Steven Fletcher opened the scoring for the home side before Mathieu Debuchy's equaliser.

Some Sunderland fans then invaded the pitch to celebrate Fabio Borini's winner.

The game was the first between the two sides since widespread violence followed a match at St James' Park in April.

More than 100 Newcastle fans were arrested and Bud the horse, from West Yorkshire's mounted section, was punched.